The Colors Of The Dragon. Virginie T.

      I swallow my saliva crookedly and the faces of Jasper and Jared darken. They joined the military with passion, with faith, but they find it hard to tolerate the lack of free will that this life demands. With this microphone which will spy on my words, but also my exchanges with them, we reach heights in the lack of freedom.

      — With all due respect general, a listening device could hinder the eye of a lynx in close combat, and so make her in danger.

      George tries to play on the general's sensible point to win the case. He just forgot one thing, my father has no sensitivity, especially not towards me.

      — Are you discussing my orders commander?

      — No of course not.

      My general's satisfied smile makes me clench my fists to stick my nails into my palms and whiten my knuckles. The problem is that an intervention on my part will only confirm his decision. Whatever I do, the general has spoken and I have nothing to do with it.

      — Well. So go train yourself by plugging her a tracker. Like that, she will know how to react in the case of an attack so as not to lose it or be discomforted. Manage this as you want, but I want to hear everything that happens during your absence, without exception. The device is mandatory as soon as you leave the base. Ask the technical service for the best device. There is no way that there are blanks on the tape. No excuse will be accepted or you will assume the consequences. Is that understood?

      — Yes my general.

      We respond in harmony that seems to satisfy him as he dismiss us with a flippant hand sign, as if we were mere underlings and not an elite unit trained for the most dangerous fighting in the world.

      This is why the six of us meet at the gymnasium, when my only desire is to slip into my bed and sleep for at least 48 hours to forget this damn day.

      — Are you ok Dakota?

      — Of course. Why would not I be? After the camera glasses, the snitch. Normal. What is the next step? A GPS chip implanted under my skin?

      George wrings his hands. He looks uncomfortable when he has no reason to be. He had nothing to do with this kind of decision and even tried to help me. He prefers to leave me alone with Luke who is raising his hands in the air in front of him as a peace sign , and I feel guilty immediately. I’m not angry against them, but against Robert Jones, the man who claims to be my father when it suits him, but who doesn’t have the attitude. What annoys me the most is that from the outside, we could consider his excessive surveillance as a mark of attention, of concern for my safety, but I know that it is not the case. All his devices are just a way for him to control me a little more, to keep hold of the unit that earned him his place at the head of the base.

      — Sorry, my bitterness is not directed against you.

      My heart brother hugs me while kissing my head. He is aware that these meetings with my father are a real test for me each time.

      — DAKOTA.

      George calls me from the opposite side of the gymnasium, his loud voice ringing against the walls. he is positioned just close by the punching bag. He also knows me well. This is exactly what I need to release the tension and allay my fury. So i join him by trotting while Jasper and Jared go up the ring to engage in a friendly boxing fight. Or almost. I wouldn’t like to take some of the beating they do. My commander conscientiously bandages my hands and then helps me put on gloves. I spend the next hour in enchaining directly, hook and uppercut. Contrary to what was said in meetings, I don't need to learn to fight with a snitch. Whether I lose it in battle or has no importance, because, first, it will never prevent me from saving myself, priority to my buttocks, and second, whether the recording is complete or not, my father will find a reason to blame me. Finally, I find it hard to relax and ignore the harsh remarks of the man I should count more than anything.

      Chapter 4

      Dakota

      After training, we all end up at home, as often. My apartment is almost too small to accommodate five males swollen with testosterone, but I am extremely uncomfortable in an environment other than mine, so they are kind enough to agree to hug a little so that I can be myself.

      — What do you want to eat Dakota?

      Good question. What could cheer me up and soften my bruised little heart?

      — No matter the food, as long as you eat it on my dream body, you will be in seventh heaven, doll.

      I explode with laughter in front of Jared who swells the pectorals by raising his eyebrows suggestively. Luke walks behind him to pat him on the back of the head as I struggle to catch my breath and tears drop from the corner of my eyes. Now, more than food, I need my friends and their antics to lighten up this trying day.

      — Seriously dude, does it work with girls your hopeless dredge?

      — Of course. Have you seen how seductive am i? No one can resist my charm.

      — Your insignificant charm you mean?

      I let Jasper and Jared bicker nicely and join George, who is desperately looking for an edible commodity in my fridge.

      — What do you want me to prepare with a piece of moldy cheese and an expired bottle of milk?

      I give him a shy contrite smile. At the same time, we went on a mission for a week and the general didn't give me much time to fill up on the pantry. On the other hand, even in normal times, without missions or otherwise (which rarely happens, demons do not know the concept of holidays), you cannot say that I am a homemaker. No one has taught me how to cook, and I hate cleaning, being content with the bare minimum to maintain a welcoming interior. My fridge is never topped with delicious dishes. It’s already a miracle when it contains edible food. On the other hand, a multitude of leaflets for home delivery of dishes are magnetized above.

      — Can we order Chinese?

      — Are you sure you want a Chinese cookie with a prediction? We cannot say that the day has brought you luck so far.

      — Not false.

      Luke arrives from behind and puts his arm on my shoulders, sticking his warm body to mine. It is in these moments of complicity that I regret not being able to really see him. Not being able to observe them all other than through a green filter that probably distorts the smoldering joy on their face.

      — You seem pensive.

      I jump when I hear Russel behind me. I did not notice his presence in the kitchen. For an elite soldier familiar with the most dangerous fights and missions on this Earth, I let myself be surprised like a beginner.

      — I'm going to order pizza.

      — This is exactly what you need. Fat and heavy that will make you drowsy and sleep like a baby.

      — Also take some ice cream that you can lick on me.

      Jared can't resist.

      And at the same time, that's exactly what I needed: remarks, friendly hugs and George's paternal compassion. This is how we all meet around the coffee table, double cheese pepperoni pizzas spread out in front of us, a beer in hand and a turnip, said the cavemen, on the screen. I wake up two hours later, the soporific side of the pizza having had its effect.